Brady and Staunton lay down early marker

Mark Staunton (Delgany GC) and Eamonn Brady (Clontarf GC) shared first prize at the LowFuelcard.ie Irish PGA Championship Pro-Am at Dundalk GC on Wednesday.

The duo carded five under par rounds of 67 at the Co Louth venue to lay down an early marker ahead of the four-day LowFuelCard.ie Irish PGA Championship which gets underway on Thursday.

With a shot-gun start in operation, Brady, currently second in the PGA in Ireland Order of Merit, began his round at the fourth and opened up with a birdie.

He got into his stride after the 10^th, collecting further birdies at the 11^th, 12^th and 14^th as he reached four under without a blemish on his card. A final birdie at the par four first, his 16^th hole of the day, was followed by two more pars to close out the round.

Staunton started his round at the 16^th, collecting three pars before rattling off three birdies in the space of five holes at the first, third and fifth.

He was through  the front nine in three under par 33 and added further birdies at the 10^th and 14^th to join Brady at the head of affairs.

David Ryan (Cahir Park) and Brendan McGovern (Headfort GC) finished the day tied for second on three under par.

Brady also walked away with the team prize, guiding his amateur partners to victory with 94 points, two points ahead of Marian Riordan and partners.

The opening shots in the Irish PGA Championship will be struck at 8am on Thursday morning.

Entry is free for spectators.